Archive for Africa

From Marrakech to the Nile (11 days)

Riding a carriage in Marrakech

Riding a carriage in Marrakech.
By mwanasimba from La Réunion (Uploaded by russavia)
[CC-BY-SA-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Explore the two gems of North Africa – Morocco and Egypt – on this grand 11-day North Africa dream vacation. Tour to Casablanca, Marrakech, Cairo and Luxor. A bonus: journeys by train across the Moroccan countryside.

Tour

DAY 1 – OFF TO MOROCCO! – Monday – Weekly Departure – Year Round
Weekly departure. Board a comfortable Air France, Swiss, Lufthansa, British Airways or Royal Air Maroc jet at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport for your nonstop flight to Casablanca. Airfare add-on is available from your major home town in the USA. If you wish to handle your own air fare please deduct $ 600 USD from any of the listed rates.

Air fare add-on:

  • For Boston, Chicago, Miami, Orlando Houston: $350.
  • SFO, LAX, SEA,SJS, SAN, PDX and DEN $ 450 (air fare is subject to change without notice)

Day 2 – CASABLANCA – MARRAKECH – Tuesday – Weekly – Year Round
Our international flight arrives in Casablanca. After completing customs and immigration formalities, and exiting the terminal, our local rep. will be waiting for you with a sign in your name, then we drive south to mystical Marrakech (private air-conditioned vehicle, private English speaking chauffeur). Check-in at your hotel. Private transfers at all times.

DAY 3 – MARRAKECH – Wednesday (BL)
We board a horse-drawn carriage for a clip-clop tour of this ancient royal capital, including the Kotoubia, a former royal palace, and of course the labyrinthine souks (bazaars). Lunch is included at a charming local restaurant. Sunset camel ride on the outskirts of Marrakech.

Day 4 – MARRAKECH – Home Hosted Family Dinner – Thursday (BLD)
One of the special ways of understanding a culture is through the local cuisine – not only sampling exotic tastes, but experiencing the preparation of dishes, how they figure in ritual and ceremony, and how they have grown out of the earth and traditions. We’ll proceed to La Maison Arabe or the Ecole Hotelière, Marrakech’s own hospitality & Culinary Academy and training school, for a demonstration of the preparation of pastry-style doughs. We’ll stay for a lunch of salads, tagine of Maghdour kebab, and refreshing fruits.

This evening we’ll venture where few ordinary visitors ever tread… right into the homes of some of the people of Marrakech! You’ll be invited to a family dinner, and while you enjoy wholesome home-cooked specialties, you’ll learn about and appreciate the outlook, aspirations, and way of life of your hosts. Be assured, as curious as you may be about your new friends, they’re sure to have questions about your own background. Once the ice is broken, you’ll enjoy a lively evening, and find that you have more in common than you ever suspected. Of course, if you prefer, you may enjoy dinner in a quiet restaurant with your travel companions by letting us know your preferences.

Day 5 – CASABLANCA- Friday (BL)
“Getting there is half the fun!” We board the train for our return to Casablanca, cruising through the lovely countryside past green fields, fruit-laden orchards, traditional villages and modern towns, with the lofty Atlas Mountains soaring in the distance. Our local rep. will be waiting for you at the train station in Casablanca with a sign in your name.

Lunch is included in Casablanca. Our tour escort points out interesting features, and fills us in on Moroccan life and culture. After arriving in Casablanca, we visit the majestic new Grand Mosque of King Hassan II, second only to the Great Mosque at Mecca in size. We continue on a panoramic tour of the city and its souks. Private transfers at all times. Private air-conditioned vehicle, private chauffeur.

Day 6 – CASABLANCA – CAIRO/ EGYPT – Saturday (B)
After breakfast, we drive to the airport for our Royal Air Maroc or Egyptair flight across North Africa to Egypt. We arrive in Cairo.Visa may be issued upon arrival at Cairo Airport.

VIP Arrival Hall At Cairo Airport, no photos required. Our representative greets you at the airport and whisks you to your hotel. Visa will be issued upon arrival at Cairo Airport for a limited number of citizens such as: American, Australian, NZ, EU, Canadian, EU Singaporean and Japanese citizens. You are responsible for having your passport in order valid at least for 6 months beyond the date of your arrival in Cairo. Our local rep. will meet you with a sign that carries your name, and will be waiting for you with the prepaid visa stamps to proceed to the passports control to stamp your passports and then you claim your luggage. After you clear the passport and customs formalities and exit the terminal, our local representative will escort you by private vehicle to the hotel. Welcome fruit basket & Egyptian pastry awaits you in your room with our compliments. Depending on the arrival time you may land early AM or late afternoon. Remainder of the day is at leisure.

Day 7 – CAIRO – Sunday (BL)
Breakfast at the hotel, morning at leisure. Refreshed, in the afternoon we visit the Citadel of Saladin and its Alabaster Mosque, enjoying spectacular views of the city below. We descend from the Citadel into Khan el-Khalili, the bazaar district, in search of Egyptian treasures as well as the newly restored Muizz LedeenAllah medieval district. The rest of the day is yours. Lunch is included at Hadaik Al-Azhar Park, Abu El-Sid restaurant or similar.

DAY 8 – CAIRO – Monday (BLD)
Today we visit Cairo’s most famous monuments: the awesome pyramids of Giza, Cheops Royal Barge Museum, the Valley Temple and the timeless Sphinx. After lunch at the Mena House we drive to Dahshour, the pyramid field south of Cairo, where we visit several ancient structures, including the great pyramid built by Senfru, father of Cheops. Lunch is included at the Mena House. Dinner is included at La Bodega restaurant.

DAY 9 – LUXOR – Tuesday (BL)
Very early breakfast at the hotel. Then we head for our 6 AM flight to Luxor. From the airport in this Ancient Egyptian capital we cross the Nile to visit the Valley of the Kings and the Colossi of Memnon. After lunch in Luxor at Sonesta Hotel or Al-Moudira Hotel, we tour the stupendous Great Temple of Amon at Karnak, and visit the Sacred Lake, obelisks and colossal statues. We take a quick look at the great temple of Amon Ra at Luxor on our way to the airport for our flight back to Cairo and your hotel.

DAY 10 – CAIRO – Home Hosted Dinner – Wednesday (BL)
The world-famous Egyptian Museum, which holds the treasures of Tutankhamon, is our first stop today, after which we wander the narrow streets of Old Cairo (once a Roman fort). We go on to the Jewish Quarter, then the Coptic Christian Quarter, stopping at the churches of Abu Serghius and Al Molaka, the Coptic Museum, and the Ben Ezra synagogue. After lunch at a typical local restaurant, we head back to your hotel.

Day 11 – DEPARTURE Thursday (B)
After breakfast, our staff escorts you to the airport for your flight back to the USA. This tour departs from the USA weekly, year round.

RATES per person in USD
Deluxe
Hotels
First Class
Hotels
Tourist Class
Hotels
In Triple
occupancy
US$ 5550. US$ 4490. US$ 3989.
Double US$ 5678. US$ 4530. US$ 4041.
Single US$ 6760. US$ 5620. US$ 4965.

Air fare add-on:

  • For Boston, Chicago, Miami, Orlando Houston: $350.
  • SFO, LAX, SEA,SJS, SAN, PDX and DEN $ 450 (air fare is subject to change without notice)

Christmas – New Year Holiday Supplement
For Christmas / Holiday Season, Dec 20- Jan 3: Please add 10% supplement to any of the listed rates.

Air fare note:
May – Sep supplement (does not apply when you handle your own air fare). Please add $450 high season supplement (this doesn’t apply when you handle your own air fare). Air tickets tax is included.

Your tour includes:

  • Round-trip international airfare from New York City (JFK) to Casablanca and Cairo in economy class, including tax (Please contact us for add-on fares from your nearest airport to New York).
  • Air fare note: May – Sep: Please add $450 high season supplement (this doesn’t apply when you handle your own air fare). Air tickets tax is included. Click here for a version WITHOUT air fare from/to USA.
  • Domestic airfares within Morocco and Egypt in economy class, including tax
  • First-class day train Marrakech-Casablanca, including tax and service
  • All airport and train station transfers in Morocco and Egypt as described in the tour itinerary. Private transfers at all times. Private air-conditioned vehicle, private chauffeur.
  • Your hotel room at a carefully-selected deluxe, or first class hotel, whichever you prefer, including tax & service
  • B = Breakfast: continental or Buffet Breakfast), L = Lunch, D = Dinner.
  • Guided sightseeing as listed in the itinerary including all entrance fees.
  • VERY IMPORTANT NOTE ON LUGGAGE: When flying from JFK on Royal Air Maroc all the way, then 2 pieces of luggage are allowed to be checked. For West coast customers, who may fly British Airways into Casablanca, they will be allowed one piece of luggage to be checked in on board the ROYAL AIR MAROC flight between Casablanca & Cairo.
  • VIP Arrival Hall At Cairo Airport
    Our representative greets you at the airport and whisks you to your hotel. Visa will be issued upon arrival at Cairo Airport for a limited number of citizens such as: American, Australian, NZ, EU, Canadian, EU Singaporean and Japanese citizens. You are responsible for having your passport in order valid at least for 6 months beyond the date of your arrival in Cairo. Our local rep. will meet you with a sign that carries your name, and will be waiting for you with the prepaid visa stamps to proceed to the passports control to stamp your passports and then you claim your luggage. After you clear the passport and customs formalities and exit the terminal, our local representative will escort you by private vehicle to the hotel. Welcome fruit basket & Egyptian pastry awaits you in your room with our compliments.

Not included:

  • Gratuities / tips to your local guides and drivers.
  • Trip interruption and cancellation insurance.
  • International air fare from / to your home country.
  • Personal expenses, including excess baggage or shipping charges, beverages, and personal charges in hotels for laundry, telephone, or other services.
Sample First class Modest Four Stars Hotels:
Marrakech: Riad Chergui
Casablanca: Novotel Casablanca Hotel
Cairo: Novotel El Borg Hotel, Oases Hotel, or similar
Deluxe Hotels: (or similar)
In Morocco
Marrakech
(Deluxe Standard 5-star hotel):
KENZI FARAH or similar
Deluxe Standard 5 stars Riad – RIAD TIWALINE
 In Egypt
 Cairo:  Sofitel / Hilton / Sheraton / Conrad/ Inter.Continental
Casablanca: Royal Info Ada
Or upgrade to Deluxe Superior

(15 % supplement applies to the deluxe rate listed above)

In Morocco
Marrakech: Deluxe Superior 5 stars Riad – RIAD KNIZA
Deluxe five stars Superior hotel / Riad: JARDINS DE LA KOUTOUBIA
In Egypt
Cairo: Four Seasons Hotel
Casablanca: Royal Mansour

 

The Grand African Tour:
Johannesburg, Cairo, Marrakech

Experience The Best of South Africa, Egypt and Morocco
All in 24 days

Start in South Africa
Includes Victoria Falls

The market in Djama Elfna square in Marrakech

The market in Djama Elfna square in Marrakech.
Photo by mwanasimba from La Réunion, via Wikimedia Commons.

Airfare is included between Casablanca, Cairo & Johannesburg. Tour starts weekly, year round. Explore the three gems of Africa–Morocco, South Africa and Egypt–on this tour to Casablanca, Marrakech. The best of Egypt, a good look at Cairo and a 5-day cruise along the Nile, then on to South Africa. Then embark on thrilling game drives near Botswana’s remote Limpopo River to South Africa’s most cosmopolitan city on Table Bay, Cape Town, let us introduce you to the land… South of the Limpopo.

This is truly an experience for those who have been dreaming to see and enjoy the ultimate African tour from Cairo all the way to Cape Town. This combination of cosmopolitan Cape Town, Victoria Falls, and the Safaris… Southern Africa’s finest travel experiences.

Tour

Day 1: Johannesburg, South Africa – Weekly – Year Round – Saturday
Arrive Johannesburg in AM. You’re transferred to Mount Grace Hotel, one of the finest country hotels in South Africa. Set in hills surrounding Rietpoort Valley, it is home to abundant bird life, cascading waterfall, stone-age relics, and a 400-year-old olive tree. Guests are welcomed with tasteful furnishings and impeccable service. Mount Grace (D)

Days 2 through 4: Mashatu, Botswana – Sunday to Tuesday
This morning you will board the safari flight to Mashatu Game Reserve. At the confluence of Limpopo and Shashe Rivers is Tuli Enclave, a diverse region ranging from savannas to forests to open plains. In open four-wheel-drive land cruisers, experienced Tswana rangers and trackers provide guests with unequaled close-up game viewing and photographic opportunities. Night game drives dinners overlooking lighted watering hole offer unique views of bush life. Mashatu Main Camp (BLD)

Day 5: Cape Town – Wednesday
Board morning safari flight to Johannesburg and connect with onward flight to Cape Town. On arrival, you are transferred to the Radisson Granger Bay Hotel – home for the next three nights. The hotel is located next to Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. Radisson Granger Bay Hotel (B)

Day 6: Cape Point / Peninsula Tour – Thursday
Travel coastal road that hugs the cold Atlantic Ocean to Hout Bay, a former fishing community that is a popular residential area, but still retains its charm of days past. Continue south to Cape Point in the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, where the Atlantic and the Indian oceans meet. Return along the Indian Ocean coast road. Visit a colony of penguins at Boulders Beach. Drive through Simonstown naval base to Kalk Bay. Visit Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, one of Africa’s finest gardens. Radisson Granger Bay Hotel (BL)

Day 7: Cape Town / Johannesburg – Friday
Fly back to Johannesburg & Mount Grace Hotel, one of the finest country hotels in South Africa. (B)

Day 8: Livingston – Victoria Falls – Saturday (BD)
All transfers are included. Fly to Livingston. Air fare is included in economy class (tax included). Accommodations: Royal Livingston Hotel or Zambezi Sun ( BD )

Day 9: Victoria Falls – Sunday
This master work of nature–plunging into a massive ravine and sending up a roar of spray sufficient to sustain a rainforest around its edge–needs little introduction. Our exciting program includes all of the town’s “musts”: two nights luxury accommodations; a guided tour of the falls and nearby artisan village and a Sundowner cruise on the Zambezi River. This tour includes two breakfasts, airport transfers and guided sightseeing. Accommodations: Royal Livingston Hotel or Zambezi Sun ( BD )

Sunset Cruise on the Zambezi River West of the Victoria Falls.

Sunset Cruise on the Zambezi River West of the Victoria Falls. Photo by Harvey Barrison from Massapequa, NY, USA, via Wikimedia Commons.

Day 10: Victoria Falls / Johannesburg – Monday (B)
All transfers are included as usual. Fly back to Johannesburg. Air fare is included Livingston to Johannesburg, and your hotel: Sandton Hilton. Air fare is included in economy class (tax included).

Day 11: Johannesburg – Tuesday (B)
Early morning transfer to JNB Airport to board your flight to Cairo. Air fare is included between JNB, Cairo and Casablanca, in economy class (tax included).

Day 12: CAIRO – Wednesday (B)
We arrive in Cairo with the dawn. Our representative will greet you at the airport and whisk you to your hotel.
We drive through the awakening city to our hotel for breakfast and a bracing cup of coffee or tea.

VIP Arrival Hall At Cairo Airport
Visa will be issued upon arrival at Cairo Airport for a limited number of citizens such as  American, Australian, NZ, EU, Canadian, EU Singaporean and Japanese citizens. You are responsible for having your passport in order, valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of your arrival in Cairo. Our local rep. will meet you with a sign that carries your name and will be waiting for you with the prepaid visa stamps to proceed to the passports control to stamp your passports and then claim your luggage. After you clear the passport and customs formalities and exit the terminal, our local representative will escort you by private vehicle to the hotel. Sample deluxe hotels: Fairmont Hotel, Inter.Continental, Conrad, Marriott, Sheraton, Hilton or similar. First Class: Novotel or similar.

Day 13: CAIRO – Thursday (BL)
It’s on with your first full day in Egypt we show you the Egyptian Museum, the Citadel of Saladin, and the Mohammed Ali Mosque, made of alabaster. Lunch is included at Naguib Mahfouz restaurant before we head for a treasure hunt and walking tour of Khan El-Khalili Bazaar.

Day 14: CAIRO – Friday (BL)
Today we drive to the edge of Cairo and the Sahara to tour the Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, and the Solar boat museum. After lunch at the Mena House we will head off to Memphis, Sakkara and the Step Pyramid. Camel ride is included (10-15 minutes) with our compliments, if you wish.

DAY 15: Luxor – Board your Nile Cruise – Saturday (BLD)
We fly to Luxor. From the airport we proceed to tour today the magnificent tombs in the Valley of the Kings including Tut-Ank-Amon’s tomb and the great temple of Queen Hatshepsut. @e stop at the Colossi of Memnon on the way back to our Nile cruiser in time for a delicious lunch. Complimentary welcome fruit basket awaits you in your cabin. The gigantic Great Temple of Amon at Karnak, and the mighty Temple of Luxor are our goals in the afternoon. We’ll return in time for the afternoon tea served on deck. You’ll have a chance to explore your ship before dinner.

DAY 16: LUXOR, EDFU – On Board Your Nile Cruise – Sunday (BLD)
We sail to Esna to go through the locks  and on to Edfu where we dock for the night. In the evening we’ll celebrate in Egyptian style, dressed in galabias, the flowing national costume. A galabya will be delivered to your cabin with our compliments.

DAY 17: EDFU, KOM OMBO – On Board Your Nile Cruise – Monday (BLD)
We moor in Edfu, climb aboard horse-drawn carriages, and clip-clop through the town to the Temple of Horus, Egypt’s best-preserved temple. Re-embarking on our Nile cruiser, we enjoy lunch as we sail further south upriver.
We disembark downstream at Kom Ombo to visit its twin temples of Haroeris, the sun god, and Sobek, the crocodile god, then continue our voyage to Aswan, while we party after dinner with music & dance.

DAY 18: ASWAN- On Board Your Nile Cruise – Tuesday (BLD)
First we tour Aswan dams, then on to the awesome Aswan dams, and next an ancient granite quarry complete with an unfinished obelisk. Then we go by motor launch to the Island temple of Philae , dedicated to the Ancient Goddess ISIS.

The Mystery of Isis. Two millennia ago the Mediterranean world was enthralled by the mystery of Isis:

“I, Isis, am all that has been, that is or shall be; no mortal man hath ever seen me unveiled.”

Called Aset by the ancient Egyptians, the goddess was a Madonna in the Mediterranean tradition that stretches far, far back to the primitive Mother Goddess from Anatolia, home to some of the oldest human communities on earth.

Isis was the powerful and quick-witted protector of her son Horus, the Sun God. Ancient peoples throughout the Mediterranean regarded Isis and Horus as the perfect Madonna and Child. Another legend says she was also the mother of the fertility god Min who, judging from the depiction of him on temple walls, needed no help from Viagra!

Because of her wisdom and skill at protection, she was admired as a good magician capable of healing the sick and protecting the dead in their journey to the Underworld.

Our farewell dinner this evening is a buffet of Egyptian specialties, followed by a show featuring oriental performers including, of course, a belly dancer.

DAY 19: CAIRO – Wednesday (B)
Check out after breakfast followed by a return flight to Cairo. In the afternoon, wander through the city on your own or do your last-minute shopping. Sonesta Hotel or Intercontinental or similar.

Day 20: MARRAKECH – Thursday (B)
We fly to Casablanca and after you clear formalities, please proceed to connect to the onward flight to Marrakech (all air fare is included in our rates, in economy class, tax included). Our flight arrives in Marrakech. Our staff will escort us to our hotel, where we enjoy a welcome warm cup of mint tea and a welcome fruit basket awaits you. Subject to availability: your accommodation will be at one of Marrakech deluxe Riad (Boutique hotels) or a five-star hotel.

DAY 21: MARRAKECH – Friday (BLD)
We board a horse-drawn carriage for a clip-clop tour of this ancient royal capital, including the Kotoubia, a former royal palace, and of course the labyrinthine souks (bazaars). Lunch is included at a charming local restaurant.

Complimentary Dinner is included at a local home
Meet the locals. You may wish to bring token gifts to exchange with the host family (T shirt, small souvenirs of your home town).
This evening we’ll venture where few ordinary visitors ever tread… right into the homes of some of the people of Marrakech! You’ll be invited to a family dinner and, while you enjoy wholesome home-cooked specialties, you’ll learn about and appreciate the outlook, aspirations, and way of life of your hosts. Be assured, as curious as you may be about your new friends, they’re sure to have questions about your own background. Once the ice is broken, you’ll enjoy a lively evening, and find that you have more in common than you ever suspected. Of course, if you prefer, you may enjoy a quiet evening with your travel companions by letting us know your preferences.

Day 22: MARRAKECH – Saturday (BL)
After breakfast in you hotel, leave for Amizmiz, 54 Kilometers from Marrakech. On the way you will see the Oumnast Kasbah then the Lalla Takerkoust Dam built between 1929 and 1935 with it man made lake. It will take you about an hour to reach Amizmiz, a typical Berber village, we tour the Kasbah and the “Mellah” (Jewish quarter). Every Tuesday an important country market is held where all the villagers from the area come for their weekly shopping and gossiping. There you can buy interesting Regragra potteries. Your guide will welcome you in his home for a traditional Berber breakfast then you will start your hiking first through Sidi Hossein valley to reach Tizi Oughourane. On the way you will see picturesque landscapes of the Atlas mountains, Berber villages with their houses built in stone and earth. After a typical lunch accompanied by mint tea, you will come back to Amizimiz by a different itinerary and be transferred back to busy Marrakech by late afternoon.

Day 23: BY TRAIN TO CASABLANCA – Sunday (BL)
“Getting there is half the fun!” We board the train for our return to Casablanca, cruising through the lovely countryside past green fields, fruit-laden orchards, traditional villages and modern towns, with the lofty Atlas Mountains soaring in the distance. Our tour escort points out interesting features, and fills us in on Moroccan life and culture. After arriving in Casablanca, we visit the majestic new Grand Mosque of King Hassan II, second only to the Great Mosque at Mecca in size. We continue on a panoramic tour of the city and its souks, before we head for our hotel: The Royal Mansour or similar.

Day 24: Departure from CASABLANCA – Monday (B)
After breakfast our local rep. escorts you back to the airport. Bon Voyage!

Remember because there is limited space on the safari vehicle, ONE medium sized bag (soft luggage preferred) is allowed on the safari vehicle per person, plus your carry on.

Cost per person in USD $
Sharing in double Occupancy: $ 18,900. USD
In single Occupancy: $ 20,650. USD
Sorry, no triple occupancy room on Safaris.

For Christmas – New Years: ( Dec 20-Jan 2 ), as well as the Easter season (2 weeks): Please add %15 to the listed rates.

INCLUDED:

  • Air fare Johannesburg/ Livingston / Johannesburg , economy class, tax included.
  • Airfare between Morocco, South Africa and Egypt, economy class , with tax included
  • All airfares within Egypt, in economy class, tax included.
  • Deluxe Hotel accommodation with tax & service charges.
  • All transfers are on a private basis as per itinerary.
  • Private touring on board the Nile cruise: private guide, private chauffeur, private air-conditioned vehicle for the full cruise/shore excursions. Deluxe Nile Cruise with all meals.
  • Private touring in Morocco and Egypt, private guide, private chauffeur, private air-conditioned vehicle.
  • Preset menu meals including B = Breakfast, (or cB, Continental Breakfast) L = Lunch, D = Dinner
  • Internal Airfare – Johannesburg – Mashatu – Johannesburg – Cape Town.
  • Daily accommodations as shown in the itinerary & all hotel taxes and service charges
  • All hotel /airport transfers as indicated
  • Transportation in air-conditioned coaches
  • Game drives in open 4-wheel drive safari vehicles, conducted by experienced Tswana rangers and trackers Spotlight game drives at night
  • Game walks accompanied by experienced Tswana ranger and tracker
  • All sightseeing, game viewing, entrance fees and park fees as indicated in the itinerary.
  • VIP Arrival Hall Meet & Greet At Cairo Airport
  • Visa will be issued upon arrival at Cairo Airport for a limited number of citizens such as  American, Australian, NZ, EU, Canadian, EU Singaporean and Japanese citizens. You are responsible for having your passport in order, valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of your arrival in Cairo. Our local rep. will meet you with a sign that carries your name and will be waiting for you with the prepaid visa stamps to proceed to the passports control to stamp your passports and then claim your luggage. After you clear the passport and customs formalities and exit the terminal, our local representative will escort you by private vehicle to the hotel. Welcome fruit basket & Egyptian pastry awaits you in your room in Cairo with our compliments.

NOT INCLUDED:

  • Any international airport from/to your home country.
  • Airport and country departure taxes.
  • Passport and visa fees.
  • Travel insurance
  • Excess baggage charges
  • Shipping charges
  • Any other items of a personal nature such as gratuities to drivers and guides, porters, telephone/telex/fax charges, laundry, and beverages.

General info

  • Personal expenses including but not limited to beverages, laundry, communication costs, excess baggage fees (baggage is restricted to 26 lbs (Modify as required) per person in a soft sided bag where charter flights are included).
  • Traveler’s insurance (the purchase of travel insurance is suggested to protect your investment in case of unanticipated curtailment or cancellation of your tour).
  • Medical expenses, medical insurance ( passenger must show proof of insurance).
  • Gratuities to drivers, guides or tour managers.
  • Any sightseeing, safari activities, meals, or other activities not specified in the itinerary or indicated as optional.
  • Please note that tipping is discretionary, however, the following guidelines are provided: $5-$10 per day for professional safari guides; $3-$5 per day for camp staff, e.g. waiters, housekeepers, which is a communal tip that is shared among the staff); porters – $1; driver/guides – $2-$5); restaurant waiters/waitresses – 10% of bill; hotel housekeeping – $2 per day.
  • Excess baggage charges, shipping charges, items of a personal
  • Private touring on board the cruise: Please add $ 250 per person for the full cruise/shore excursions.

Prices are subject to change due to currency fluctuations, increase in fuel prices, or other fees imposed by the government or tourism industry not within our control.

DEPARTURE DATES: Weekly departures year round. Terms and conditions as per our web site & our brochures.

The Grand African Tour:
Marrakech, Cairo and Cape Town

Experience the Best of Morocco, Egypt and South Africa
All in 22 days – Including Victoria Falls

Viewing Cape Town From Chapman's Peak Drive

Viewing Cape Town From Chapman’s Peak Drive

Airfare is included from Casablanca to Cairo and Johannesburg in BUSINESS CLASS. Tour starts weekly on Wednesday in Casablanca, Year Round. Explore the three gems of Africa–Morocco, South Africa and Egypt–on this tour to Casablanca, Marrakech. The best of Egypt: A good look at Cairo and a 5-day cruise along the Nile, then on to South Africa where you will embark on thrilling game drives near Botswana’s remote Limpopo River to South Africa’s most cosmopolitan city on Table Bay, Cape Town. Let us introduce you to the land… South of the Limpopo.

This is truly an experience for those who have been dreaming to see and enjoy the ultimate African tour from Cairo all the way to Cape Town. This combination of cosmopolitan Cape Town, Victoria Falls, and the Safari Adventure in Botswana is a diverse itinerary offering an array of Southern Africa’s finest travel experiences. Prefer to start in South Africa? please click here.

Tour

Day 1: MARRAKECH – Tuesday – Weekly – Year Round
Our international flight arrives in Marrakech. If your flight is only to Casablanca, then it is our pleasure to meet you at the airport in Casablanca and escort you to Marrakech in a private air-conditioned vehicle with a private chauffeur. After completing customs and immigration formalities, our staff will escort you to your hotel, where you can enjoy a welcome warm cup of mint tea and a welcome fruit basket awaits you. Subject to availability: your accommodation will be at one of Marrakech deluxe Riad (Boutique hotels) or a five star hotel.

DAY 2: MARRAKECH – Belly Dance Class – Wednesday (BLD)
We board a horse-drawn carriage for a clip-clop tour of this ancient royal capital including the Kotoubia, a former royal palace, and of course the labyrinthine souks (bazaars). Lunch is included at a charming local restaurant. In the early evening, for guests who are interested, please join us for a complimentary one hour introductory class on belly dance and Moroccan Berber dance techniques. An authentic Moroccan dinner is included tonight at a Moroccan local restaurant.

Day 3: MARRAKECH – Thursday (BLD)
After breakfast in your hotel you will leave for Amizmiz, 54 Kilometers from Marrakech. On the way you will see the Oumnast Kasbah then the Lalla Takerkoust Dam built between 1929 and 1935 with its manmade lake. It will take you about an hour to reach Amizmiz, a typical Berber village, where we will tour the Kasbah and the “Mellah” (Jewish quarter). Every Tuesday an important country market is held where all the villagers from the area come for their weekly shopping and gossiping. There you can buy interesting Regragra potteries. Your guide will welcome you in his home for a traditional Berber breakfast then you will start your hiking first through Sidi Hossein valley to reach Tizi Oughourane. On the way you will see picturesque landscapes of the Atlas mountains, Berber villages with their houses built in stone and earth. After a typical lunch accompanied by mint tea you will come back to Amizimiz by a different itinerary and be transferred back to busy Marrakech by late afternoon.

Complimentary Dinner is included at a local home:
Meet the locals. You may wish to bring token gifts to exchange with the host family (T shirt, small souvenirs of your home town).
This evening we’ll venture where few ordinary visitors ever tread… right into the homes of some of the people of Marrakech! You’ll be invited to a family dinner and, while you enjoy wholesome home-cooked specialties, you’ll learn about and appreciate the outlook, aspirations, and way of life of your hosts. Be assured, as curious as you may be about your new friends, they’re sure to have questions about your own background. Once the ice is broken, you’ll enjoy a lively evening, and find that you have more in common than you ever suspected. Of course, if you prefer, you may enjoy a quiet evening with your travel companions by letting us know your preferences.

Day 4: CASABLANCA – Friday (BL)
“Getting there is half the fun!” We board the train for our return to Casablanca, cruising through the lovely countryside past green fields, fruit-laden orchards, traditional villages and modern towns, with the lofty Atlas Mountains soaring in the distance. Our tour escort points out interesting features and fills us in on Moroccan life and culture. After arriving in Casablanca we visit the majestic new Grand Mosque of King Hassan II, second only to the Great Mosque at Mecca in size. We continue on a panoramic tour of the city and its souks, and then drive to the airport for our Royal Air Maroc night flight across North Africa to Egypt. Air fare is included in business class (tax included).

Day 5: CAIRO – Saturday (BL)
We arrive in Cairo with the dawn. Our representative will greet you at the airport.
VIP Arrival Hall At Cairo Airport
Our representative will greet you at the airport and whisk you to your hotel. Visa will be issued upon arrival at Cairo Airport for a limited number of citizens such as  American, Australian, NZ, EU, Canadian, EU Singaporean and Japanese citizens. You are responsible for having your passport in order, valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of your arrival in Cairo. Our local rep. will meet you with a sign that carries your name and will be waiting for you with the prepaid visa stamps to proceed to the passports control to stamp your passports and then claim your luggage. After you clear the passport and customs formalities and exit the terminal, our local representative will escort you by private vehicle to the hotel.

We drive through the awakening city to our hotel for breakfast and a bracing cup of coffee or tea. Then it’s on with your first full day in Egypt where we show you the Egyptian Museum, the Citadel of Saladin, the Mohammed Ali Mosque made of alabaster, Khan El Khalili Bazaar District and Moez Ledeenallah historical district. Lunch is included at a local restaurant.

Sample deluxe hotels: Fairmont Hotel, Inter.Continental, Marriott, Sheraton, Hilton or similar.  First Class: Novotel or similar. Your room will be booked from the night before to ensure that it is ready for you upon arrival early morning.

Day 6: Giza – Memphis – Sakkara – Sunday (BL)
After breakfast we drive to the edge of the Sahara and visit the Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, Cheops personal Royal Yacht Museum (The Pharaoh’s Solar Boat), Memphis and Sakkara including the Step Pyramids, the Nobles Tombs and Imhotep small yet charming Museum. Lunch is included at the Mena House. We will visit Harania village before heading back to your hotel.

DAY 7: ASWAN (or Luxor). Board your Nile Cruise – Camel Caravan! Monday (BLD)
We fly to Aswan and board our Nile cruiser in time for a delicious lunch. A complimentary welcome fruit basket awaits you in your cabin. In the afternoon we enjoy a leisurely sail by graceful felucca on the Nile. Only for those who are interested: a short camel caravan & ride for almost half an hour to visit a local Nubian Village.

DAY 8: ASWAN – KOM OMBO – On Board Your Nile Cruise – Tuesday (BLD)
First we tour new Nubian Museum then the awesome Aswan dams, and next an ancient granite quarry complete with an unfinished obelisk. Then we go by motor launch to the island temples of Philae. Re-embarking on our Nile cruiser, we sail downstream to Kom Ombo to visit its twin temples. One large bottle of water is provided daily in your cabin (per person) while you are on board the cruise.

DAY 9: EDFU – ESNA – On Board Your Nile Cruise – Wednesday (BLD)
We moor in Edfu, climb aboard horse-drawn carriages, and clip-clop through the town to the Temple of Horus, Egypt’s best-preserved temple. Re-embarking, we cruise to Esna and its great temple dedicated to Khnum, the creator-god. Evening finds us in Luxor. Cabin amenity tonight: Local Egyptian sweets or a cake for your special occasion.

DAY 10: LUXOR – On Board Your Nile Cruise – Thursday (BLD)
Today we will tour the magnificent tombs in the Valley of the Kings and the great temple of Queen Hatshepsut. We will stop at the Colossi of Memnon on the way back to our cruise. Cabin amenity: Complimentary Galabya.

DAY 11: LUXOR – CAIRO Friday (B)
The gigantic Great Temple of Amon at Karnak, and the mighty Temple of Luxor are our goals in the morning, followed by a return flight to Cairo. In the afternoon, wander through the city on your own, or do your last-minute shopping.

Day 12: CAIRO – Johannesburg, South Africa – Saturday
Our representative escorts you to the airport for your Egyptair flight very early in the morning. Air fare is included in Business Class with tax included. Arrive Johannesburg in AM. You’re transferred to Mount Grace Hotel, one of the finest country hotels in South Africa. Set in hills surrounding Rietpoort Valley, it is home to abundant bird life, cascading waterfalls, stone-age relics, and a 400-year-old olive tree. Guests are welcomed with tasteful furnishings and impeccable service. Mount Grace Hotel or Melrose Arch Hotel (D)

Day 13 through 15: Mashatu, Botswana – Sunday through Tuesday
This morning board your SAA Airlink flight to Polokwane Airport (about 1 hour). Upon arrival at Polokwane Airport you will board a charter flight to the Limpopo Valley Airfield where you will be met and transferred to the Mashatu Game Reserve. It is very important to note that a 15 Kilogram luggage limit per person is strictly enforced for all safari flights, drive and camps. Your luggage must be soft bags. For guests who may need to store excess luggage, you may wish to do so at Johannesburg Airport, or better yet, travel light. The Mashaty Main Camp is at the confluence of Limpopo and Shashe Rivers in the Tuli Enclave, a diverse region ranging from savannas to forests to open plains.

In open four-wheel-drive land cruisers, experienced Tswana rangers and trackers provide guests with unequaled close-up game viewing and photographic opportunities. Night game drives dinners overlooking lighted watering hole offer unique views of bush life. Mashatu Main Camp (BLD)

Day 16: Cape Town – Wednesday
Board morning safari flight from Limpopo Valley Airfield to Polokwane Airport, where you connect with the scheduled Airlink flight to “OR Tambo” Johannesburg Airport and connect with onward flight to Cape Town. Very important to note that a 15 Kilogram luggage limit per person is strictly enforced for all safari flights, drive and camps. Your luggage must be soft bags. For guests who may need to store excess luggage, you may wish to do so at Johannesburg Airport, or better yet, travel light.

On arrival, you are transferred to the Radisson Hotel. The hotel is located next to Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. The five-star Radisson Hotel exudes a relaxed charm with the feel of a luxurious beach hotel. Cape Town is cradled by Table Mountain and has immense charm and history. (B)

Cape Town Waterfront

Cape Town Waterfront

Day 17: Cape Point / Peninsula Tour – Group Tour – Thursday
Travel coastal road that hugs the cold Atlantic Ocean to Hout Bay, a former fishing community that is a popular residential area, but still retains the charm of days past. Continue south to Cape Point in the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, where the Atlantic and the Indian oceans meet. Return along the Indian Ocean coast road. Visit a colony of penguins at Boulders Beach. Drive through Simonstown naval base to Kalk Bay. Visit Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, one of Africa’s finest gardens. Radisson Granger Bay Hotel (BL)

Day 18: Cape Town /Johannesburg – Friday
Fly back to Johannesburg. Hotel choices subject to availability: Mount Grace Hotel, Hilton Sandton or Melrose Arch Hotel. Transfers are always included. (B)

Day 19: Livingston – Victoria Falls – Saturday (BD)
All transfers are included. Fly to Livingston. Economy class air fare (including tax) is included.  Accommodations: Royal Livingston Hotel or Zambezi Sun. (BD)

Day 20: Victoria Falls – Sunday
This master work of nature–plunging into a massive ravine and sending up a roar of spray sufficient to sustain a rainforest around its edge–needs little introduction. Our exciting program includes all of the town’s “musts”: two nights luxury accommodations; a guided tour of the falls and nearby artisan village and a Sundowner cruise on the Zambezi River. This tour includes two breakfasts, airport transfers and guided sightseeing. Accommodations: Royal Livingston Hotel or Zambezi Sun. (BD)

Day 21: Victoria Falls / Johannesburg – Monday (B)
All transfers are included as usual. Fly back to Johannesburg. Air fare is included Livingston to Johannesburg. And your hotel: Sandton Hilton. Economy class air fare (including tax) is included.

Day 22: Departure from Johannesburg – Tuesday (B)
Early morning transfer to JNB Airport. End of our service. Bon Voyage!

Remember because there is limited space on the safari vehicle, ONE medium sized bag (soft luggage preferred) is allowed on the safari vehicle per person, plus your carry on.

Cost per person in USD $:
Sharing in double Occupancy: $ 16,605 .00
in single Occupancy: $ 18,960 .00
Sorry, no triple occupancy room on Safaris.

For Christmas/New Year’s week, as well as Easter season: add 10% to any of the above rates.

INCLUDED:

  • Air fare Johannesburg / Livingston / Johannesburg, economy class, tax included.
  • Airfare from Casablanca to Cairo and on to Johannesburg, in BUSINESS CLASS, with tax included
  • Deluxe Hotel accommodation with tax & service charges.
  • All airfares within Egypt, in business class, tax included.
  • All transfers are on a private basis as per itinerary.
  • Private touring on board the Nile cruise: private guide, private chauffeur, private air-conditioned vehicle for the full cruise/shore excursions. Deluxe Nile Cruise with all meals.
  • Private touring in Morocco and Egypt, private guide, private chauffeur, private air-conditioned vehicle.
  • Preset menu meals including B = Breakfast, (or cB, Continental Breakfast) L = Lunch, D = Dinner
  • Internal Airfare – Johannesburg – Mashatu – Johannesburg – Cape Town.
  • Daily accommodations as shown in the itinerary & all hotel taxes and service charges
  • All hotel /airport transfers as indicated
  • Transportation in air-conditioned coaches
  • Game drives in open 4-wheel drive safari vehicles, conducted by experienced Tswana rangers and trackers Spotlight game drives at night
  • Game walks accompanied by experienced Tswana ranger and tracker
  • All sightseeing, game viewing, entrance fees and park fees as indicated in the itinerary.
  • VIP Arrival Hall Meet & Greet At Cairo Airport
  • Our representative will greet you at the airport and whisk you to your hotel. Visa will be issued upon arrival at Cairo Airport for a limited number of citizens such as  American, Australian, NZ, EU, Canadian, EU Singaporean and Japanese citizens. You are responsible for having your passport in order, valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of your arrival in Cairo. Our local rep. will meet you with a sign that carries your name and will be waiting for you with the prepaid visa stamps to proceed to the passports control to stamp your passports and then claim your luggage. After you clear the passport and customs formalities and exit the terminal, our local representative will escort you by private vehicle to the hotel. Welcome fruit basket & Egyptian pastry awaits you in your room in Cairo with our compliments.

NOT INCLUDED:

  • Any international airport departure taxes.
  • Passport and visa fees (rate covers the Egyptian Visa).
  • Shipping charges, and other items of a personal nature such as gratuities to drivers and guides, porters, telephone/telex/fax charges, laundry, and beverages.
  • Personal expenses including but not limited to beverages, laundry, communication costs, excess baggage fees (baggage is restricted to 26 lbs (Modify as required) per person in a soft sided bag where charter flights are included)·
  • Traveler’s insurance (the purchase of travel insurance is recommended to protect your investment in case of unanticipated curtailment or cancellation of your tour).
  • Medical expenses, medical insurance (passenger must show proof of insurance or ask for the flyer to be mailed).
  • Gratuities to drivers, guides or tour managers.
  • Any sightseeing, safari activities, meals, or other activities not specified in the itinerary or indicated as optional.
  • Please note that tipping is discretionary, however, the following guidelines are provided: $5-$10 per day for guides; $3-$5 per day for camp and/or Nile Cruise staff, e.g. waiters, housekeepers, which is a communal tip that is shared among the staff); porters – $1; driver/guides – $2-$5); restaurant waiters/waitresses – 10% of bill; hotel housekeeping – $2 per day.
  • Excess baggage charges, shipping charges, items of a personal

From Cairo to Cape Town
(19 Days)

Including Victoria Falls

Experience the Best of Egypt, Zambia and South Africa
Cairo – Giza – Luxor – Aswan – Nile Cruising
Cape Town – MalaMala Game Reserve – Livingstone –
Zambia – Victoria Falls – Johannesburg

Side view of tourists in jeep looking at cheetah lying on log

The best of Egypt, a good look at Cairo, Giza and a 5-day cruise along the Nile, then on to South Africa. Embark on thrilling game drives in MalaMala game reserve, one of the largest private Big 5 game reserves in Southern Africa, a Sundowner cruise on the mighty Zambezi river, fly to Livingstone in Zambia to visit one of the original natural wonders of the world, the Victoria Falls and on to Africa’s most cosmopolitan city on Table Bay, Cape Town. This is truly an experience for those who have been dreaming to see and enjoy the ultimate African tour from Cairo all the way to Cape Town. This combination of cosmopolitan Cape Town, Victoria Falls and the Safaris. a true diverse itinerary offering an array of Southern Africa’s finest travel experiences.

Tour

DAY 1: CAIRO – Tour Starts Weekly in Cairo – Saturday
VIP Meet & Greet At Cairo Airport
Arrive in Cairo. Visa may be issued upon arrival at Cairo Airport. VIP Meet & Greet At Cairo Airport. Our representative will greet you at the airport and whisk you to your hotel. Visa will be issued upon arrival at Cairo Airport for a limited number of citizens such as  American, Australian, NZ, EU, Canadian, EU Singaporean and Japanese citizens. You are responsible for having your passport in order, valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of your arrival in Cairo. Our local rep. will meet you with a sign that carries your name, and will be waiting for you with the prepaid visa stamps to proceed to the passports control to stamp your passports, then you claim your luggage. After you clear the passport and customs formalities and exit the terminal, our local representative will escort you by private vehicle to the hotel. Welcome fruit basket & Egyptian pastry awaits you in your room with our compliments. Click here for a map of Egypt.

  • Sample deluxe hotels: Four Seasons Nile Plaza, Fairmont Hotel, Inter.Continental, Sheraton, Hilton or similar.
  • First Class: Novotel or similar.

DAY 2: Giza Pyramids – The Sphinx  – Dahshour Pyramids Field – Complimentary Home Hosted Dinner – Sunday (BL)
Private air-conditioned Vehicle. Private Chauffeur. Private Egyptologist.
Breakfast is included, as always, at your hotel. Lunch is included at the legendary Mena House Hotel with the Giza Pyramids serving as 5000 years old background. Your exploration of ancient Giza begins today! After breakfast we’ll motor to the edge of the Sahara to visit: Giza Pyramids, the mysterious Sphinx and the Museum of Cheops ‘s Royal Yacht, the oldest and only known surviving Royal Barge from Ancient Egypt (the Pharaoh’s Solar Boat Museum). The museum is built over the rectangular pit that housed the Royal Barge for thousands of years. The wooden boat was readied for the king’s daily journey with the sun god, Ra . Discovered in 1954, in a completely dismantled state, the 43-metre (140-foot) cedar boat is a rare window on the Royal boats used by the kings of Ancient Egypt.

Those who are fit and adventurous enough may wish to penetrate into the heart of the Great Pyramid – to the King’s Chamber. Your ticket is included with our compliments (or the interior of Kephren Pyramid). Taking a camel ride (included) is entirely your own choice!

After lunch we continue to Dahshour, the pyramid field south of Cairo. We visit the great pyramid of Senfru, father of Cheops, and other structures:

The “Discovery” of Dahshour
For almost half a century, the great field of huge pyramids near the desert village of Dahshour, 25 miles south of Cairo, has been off limits to the public. Confined within the perimeter of a military base were many pyramids, including the great 4500-year-old pyramid built by Senfru, father of Cheops. Senfru’s pyramid, the largest in Egypt until his son built Giza’s Great Pyramid, is rhomboidal in shape: it tapers more distinctly on its upper half. All the pyramids were coated in thick plaster at one time. Most have lost these protective, decorative sheaths, but Senfru’s–miraculously–is still in place.

We head back to your hotel late afternoon.

This evening for guests who enjoy meeting the locals:
This evening we’ll venture where few ordinary visitors ever tread… right into the homes of some of the people of Cairo! You’ll be invited to a family dinner and, while you enjoy wholesome home-cooked specialties, you’ll learn about and appreciate the outlook, aspirations, and way of life of your hosts. Be assured, as curious as you may be about your new friends, they’re sure to have questions about your own background. Once the ice is broken, you’ll enjoy a lively evening, and find that you have more in common than you ever suspected. Of course, if you prefer, you may enjoy a quiet evening having dinner with your travel companions, by letting us know your preferences. You may wish to bring token gifts to exchange with the host family (T shirt, small souvenirs of your home town).

DAY 3: CAIRO – Monday (BLD)
Private air condition car for your tour today. Private chauffeur.
This is a very full day. Your exploration of ancient Cairo continues today! We’ll start after breakfast with the Egyptian Museum. Here you’ll see the treasures of the ancient pharaohs: Mummies Hall is included, statuary, and precious stones and metals. Travelers have long come to Cairo just to gaze on these sights alone. But there’s more, on we go to the Coptic & Jewish ancient quarter including the Coptic Museum, Beni Ezra Synagogue and the spot where it is believed that “Baby Moses” was found by the Egyptian Queen entourage. After lunch Egyptian-style, we’ll enjoy a walking tour of the ancient Khan El Khalili Bazaar district and Moez Le-deenallah or Al-Mu’izz li-Din Allah 10-Century newly restored street and district. Conclude a memorable day as we host you on a Nile dinner cruise complete with exotic Egyptian entertainment.

DAY 4: ASWAN, (or Luxor) – Board Your Nile Cruise
– Tuesday (BLD)
We fly to Aswan (or Luxor) and board our Nile cruiser in time for a delicious lunch. Complimentary welcome fruit basket awaits you in your cabin. In the afternoon we enjoy a leisurely sail by graceful felucca on the Nile, for guests  who are interested: a short camel caravan and ride for almost half an hour to visit a local Nubian Village. Evening horse-drawn carriage ride throughout Aswan waterfront and local souks.

Sample Nile Cruise or similar:
  • Deluxe – Sonesta Star Goddess, Movenpick Radamis II (Luxor), Movenpick Royal Lotus (Aswan) or similar.
  • First – Presidential Admiral/Symphony, or similar.

DAY 5: ASWAN – KOM OMBO -Wednesday (BLD)
First we tour new Nubian Museum then the awesome Aswan dams, and next an ancient granite quarry complete with an unfinished obelisk. Then we go by motor launch to the island temples of Philae. Re-embarking on our Nile cruiser, we sail downstream to Kom Ombo to visit its twin temples.

DAY 6: EDFU – ESNA – Thursday (BLD)
We moor in Edfu, climb aboard horse-drawn carriages, and clip-clop through the town to the Temple of Horus, Egypt’s best-preserved temple. Re-embarking, we cruise to Esna and its great temple dedicated to Khnum, the creator-god. Evening finds us in Luxor.

DAY 7: LUXOR – Friday (BLD)
We tour today the magnificent tombs in the Valley of the Kings and the great temple of Queen Hatshepsut, on to Medinet Habu, the Ramesseum and the Ancient Workers Village, we stop at the Colossi of Memnon on the way back to our cruise.

Today, as well, we will visit Deir El Medinah, on Luxor’s west bank, where you get a totally different perspective on ancient Egyptian life at the ancient workers’ settlement of Deir el-Medinah. While most of the imposing stone monuments and sites of Egypt honor the lives and after-lives of royalty, Deir el-Medinah gives us unique and surprising insights into the ordinary citizens who constructed and decorated the tombs.

Here we’ll see the excavated homes shared by laborers with their domestic animals. These quarters were surprisingly large, with three good-sized rooms, courtyard, kitchen, and even storage cellars. While ancient Egypt might not have been a workers’ paradise, we’ll see that artisans and builders were highly regarded in their community. We are proud to be the only operator to offer regular visits to this singular ancient settlement in its tour and cruise programs. Evening Sound and Light Show at Karnak Temple, please bring a jacket with you.

DAY 8: LUXOR – CAIRO – Complimentary Belly Dance Instruction Class – Saturday (BD)
The gigantic Great Temple of Amon at Karnak, and the mighty Temple of Luxor are our goals in the morning, followed by a return flight to Cairo. In the afternoon, wander through the city on your own, or do your last-minute shopping. For interested guests, please join us for a late afternoon one hour belly dance class (please book at the time you are making your reservation with us).

Dinner is included at the “Zitouni” restaurant.

Zitouni Restaurant

Zitouni Restaurant

Zitouni Restaurant offers authentic Egyptian food, you can order up shish barak and finish it off with homemade keshta ice cream. Take a seat in the main dining area and enjoy stunning views of the Nile or settle into one of the contemporary wood alcoves for a more intimate option. An extensive buffet display situated near the open kitchen.

Day 9: CAIRO – Johannesburg, South Africa – Sunday Dec 3 (B)
Our representative will escort you to the airport for your Egypt air flight very early in the morning. Arrive Johannesburg in AM. Flying in business class, tax included: Cairo to JNB. Airport transfers are always on a private basis. Private air-conditioned vehicle, private chauffeur.
Click here for a map of South Africa.

You’re transferred to Cape Grace Hotel, one of the finest country hotels in South Africa. Set in hills surrounding Rietpoort Valley, it is home to abundant bird life, cascading waterfall, stone-age relics, and a 400-year-old olive tree. Guests are welcomed with tasteful furnishings and impeccable service. Enjoy the balance of day at leisure. Overnight: Cape Grace Hotel.  

Cape Town is one of the world’s most beautiful cities and a top international destination. Large numbers of tourists flock to Cape Town to enjoy this unique city with its fascinating history, interesting culture, natural beauty, award winning wines and laid back lifestyle. Whether you are a serious tourist or just want to lie on the beach and enjoy life, Cape Town will satisfy your needs.

Day 10: Monday – Cape Grace Hotel, Cape Town (B)
Breakfast is always included at your hotel. Enjoy today at your own leisure, with time to explore Cape Town. Overnight Cape Grace hotel.

Recommended optional tours, available at additional cost: Table Mountain. Robben Island. Cape Winelands.

Day 11: Tuesday – Cape Grace Hotel, Cape Town (B)
Today after breakfast, you will be collected and taken on a full day tour of the Cape Peninsula: Cape Point Tour: Full Day. You will visit the most iconic sights of the Peninsula: Highlights of a trip down to Cape Point include; one of the world’s most spectacular drives, Hout Bay, Chapman’s Peak, Noordhoek Beach, the Cape Point Nature Reserve, two lighthouses on the tip of Africa, Boulders Penguin Colony, Simonstown, Kalk Bay and the

Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Overnight Cape Grace hotel.

Day 12-14: Wednesday to Friday (BLD)
MalaMala Main Camp, Sabi Sand Game & MalaMala Game Reserves
After breakfast, you will be collected and transferred to Cape Town Int Airport for your flight to Skukuza.  Upon arrival at Skukuza Airport, you will be met by a Mala Mala representative and transferred to the lodge, where you will stay the next 3 nights.  Upon check in, the lodge staff will confirm the daily itinerary with you. For the Mala Mala Main Camp Stay Duration: Included:  All meals and snacks. Game drives in open vehicles with qualified rangers. Nature walks. Laundry: max 10 items per room per day.

Overnight Mala Mala Main Camp.

Day 13: Thursday (BLD)
Sabi Sand Game Reserve – MalaMala Main Camp
The Mala Mala lodge staff will confirm the daily itinerary with you. Overnight Mala Mala Main Camp.

MalaMala is one of the largest private Big 5 game reserves in Southern Africa. Her worldwide renown is due to the uncompromising high standard of service, sound conservation management policies and the finest, most consistent game viewing on the sub-continent. Situated in the northeastern reaches of South Africa in the province of Mpumalanga, the superior game viewing is a result of sheer size of the reserve which covers an exclusive area of 13 200 hectares (33 000 acres) and shares a common boundary of 19km (12 miles) with the Kruger National Park, making it part of a greater trans-frontier conservation area that covers over  2,2 million hectares (5.5 million acres) of land in the heart of the South African Lowveld.

Day 14: Friday (BLD)
MalaMala Main Camp, Sabi Sand Game Reserve
The Mala Mala lodge staff will confirm the daily itinerary with you. Overnight Mala Mala Main Camp. 

Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve
The Sabi Sands is South Africa’s premier private game viewing destination. It was here that the southern African safari began and today this famous reserve offers exceptional game viewing and equally exceptional accommodations. Two perennial rivers, the Sabi and the Sand flow through this Game Park, sustaining the diverse fauna and flora of the area. The success of leopard viewing within the Sabi Sands is legendary. Elephants, lion, rhino, buffalo, cheetah, giraffe, zebra and a vast variety of antelope and other species can be closely observed in their natural environment.

Day 15: Saturday (B)
The Royal Livingstone Hotel by Anantara, Livingstone (Victoria Falls)
One of the original natural wonders of the world, the Victoria Falls is a World Heritage Site and an extremely popular tourism attraction. Known locally as ‘The Smoke that Thunders’ this spectacle is accessible from both Zambia and Zimbabwe and it is an ideal place to combine game viewing and water sports. There is excellent fishing, a terrifying bungee jump and arguably the best commercial white water rafting in the world.

Early morning you will be transferred to the airstrip for your scheduled flight from Mala Mala Airstrip to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport.  Upon arrival make your way to connect with your regional flight to Livingstone, Zambia.  Upon arrival in Livingstone, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.  Check in and enjoy the balance of the day at your own leisure. Overnight: The Royal Livingstone Hotel by Anantara

Day 16: Sunday (B)
Group Guided Tour – Livingstone & Victoria Falls:
After breakfast this morning, you will be met for a group guided walking tour of the Victoria Falls, on the Zambian side: A view of the Victoria Falls is something you will never forget and the best way to see them is on a guided tour. Discover how the Falls were formed and what local customs and traditions surround them. Then on to:Mukuni Village Tour: Mukuni village is close to the border gate and is home villagers from the Leya community. Guides are available to take you through the village to get an insight into the traditional lifestyle of rural Africans.

Livingstone Historical Tour: Livingstone was an important town in southern Africa during the first days of European settlement, we will learn about its past and tour the David Livingstone and the Railway Museums. Return to your hotel to freshen up, before being collected for a Sundowner cruise on the Zambezi Queen on the mighty Zambezi river. Return to your hotel early evening. Overnight Anantara Royal Livingstone.


Victoria Falls. Video by valpard.

Day 17: Monday (B)
The Royal Livingstone Hotel by Anantara, Livingstone (Victoria Falls)
Enjoy today at your own leisure. Overnight Anantara Royal Livingstone.

Day 18: Tuesday (B)
Fly Back to South Africa and Johannesburg

Johannesburg is one of Africa’s biggest and most vibrant cities. It is the economic capital of Africa and the gateway to Southern Africa, there is plenty to do in Johannesburg and nearby Pretoria. The old city is a multi-cultural mixture of traditional medicine shops, Chinese restaurants, taxi ranks and ultra modern skyscrapers.The shopping is Southern Africa’s best and the many restaurants cater for all tastes. The nearby township of Soweto is Johannesburg’s most popular tourist attraction.

Fly back to South Africa: Enjoy breakfast, before being collected and transferred to the airport, for your flight back to Johannesburg.  Upon arrival in Johannesburg, you will be met and transferred to your hotel, where you will spend the evening. Overnight: Hotel 54 on Bath.

Day 19: Wednesday (B) Departure
Today you will be transferred to Oliver R Tambo Int. Airport, in time for your onward flight. Bon Voyage!

Remember, because there is limited space on the safari vehicle, ONE medium sized bag (soft luggage preferred) is allowed on the safari vehicle per person, plus your carry on.

Cost per person from Cairo
Deluxe Hotels and Nile Cruise
Business Class Air Fare within Egypt 
Sharing in double Occupancy: $12,850. USD
In single Occupancy: $16,170. USD
Sorry, no triple occupancy room on Safaris.
Cost per person from Cairo
First Class – Four Stars Hotels and Nile Cruise
Economy Class Air Fare within Egypt
Sharing in double Occupancy: $10,395. USD
In single Occupancy: $13,460. USD
Sorry, no triple occupancy room on Safaris.
For Christmas/New Year’s week (Dec 20 – Jan 2) add 10% to any of the above the rate.  For Easter (2 week season), please add %10 supplement to any of the listed rates.

INCLUDED:

  • Airfare from CAIRO to Johannesburg, in business class for Deluxe and economy class for first class with tax included.
  • Regional and domestic air fare in South Africa as well as regional air fare South Africa / Zambia, Livingston / South Africa in economy class with tax      included.
  • All airfares in business class within Egypt for deluxe, and economy class air fare for first class hotel category.
  • All transfers within Egypt and South Africa on a private basis.
  • Deluxe or First Class hotel accommodation based on your choice with tax & service charges.
  • Deluxe or First Class Nile Cruise based on your choice with all meals.
  • Private guide and private air-conditioned vehicle for Cairo, Giza and the Nile cruise shore excursions as well as the full dat tour in Cape Town.
  • The tours in Livingstone (Victoria Falls) is on a shared basis, as well as the Safaris/game activities. 
  • Pre-set menu meals including B = Breakfast, (or cB, Continental Breakfast) L = Lunch, D = Dinner as listed for each day  in the itinerary.
  • Daily accommodations as shown in the itinerary with all hotel taxes and service charges.
  • All hotel /airport private transfers as indicated.
  • Transportation in air-conditioned coaches/vehicles, yet game drives in open 4-wheel drive safari vehicles, conducted by experienced rangers and trackers.
  • All sightseeing, game viewing, entrance fees and park fees as indicated in the itinerary.
  • For the Mala Mala Main Camp Stay Duration: Included:  All meals and snacks . Group Game drives in open vehicles with qualified rangers. Nature walks. Laundry – max 10 items per room per day.
  • VIP Meet & Greet  Service at Cairo Airport.
  • Egyptian Visa (visa may be issued upon arrival at Cairo Airport). Our representative will greet you at the airport and whisk you to your hotel. Visa will be issued upon arrival at Cairo Airport for a limited number of citizens such as  American, Australian, NZ, EU, Canadian, EU, Singaporean and Japanese citizens. You are responsible for having your passport in order valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of your arrival in Cairo. Our local rep. will meet you with a sign that carries your name, and will be waiting for you with the prepaid visa stamps to proceed to the passports control to stamp your passports, then you claim your luggage. After you clear the passport and customs formalities and exiting the terminal, our local representative will escort you  by private vehicle to the hotel.

NOT INCLUDED:

  • Any international airport departure taxes (unless already included in your international airfare).
  • International airfare from/to your home country.
  • Visa fees for South Africa.
  • Visa fees for Zambia.
  • Personal expenses including but not limited to beverages, laundry, communication costs, excess baggage fees (baggage is restricted to 26 lbs (Modify as required) per person in a soft sided bag where charter flights are included).
  • Traveler’s insurance (the purchase of travel insurance is suggested to protect your investment in case of unanticipated curtailment or cancellation of your tour).
  • Medical expenses, medical insurance (passenger must show proof of Travel insurance that is covering  medical emergencies while on the tour).
  • Gratuities to drivers, guides or tour managers.
  • Please note that tipping is discretionary, however, the following guidelines are provided: $5-$10 per day for guides; $3-$5 per day for local camp; hotel housekeeping; Nile Cruise staff, e.g. waiters, housekeepers, which is a communal tip that is shared among the staff); porters – $1; driver – $2-$5); restaurant waiters/waitresses – 10% of bill.

 Prices are subject to change due to currency fluctuations, increase in fuel prices, or other fees imposed by the government or tourism industry not within our control.

General Information:

Passport & Visas
Visitors to Africa must have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months beyond the intended departure date, together with onward travel documents, proof of accommodation and sufficient funds for the duration of the stay. In addition, each country the client may be visiting generally requires at least 2 consecutive/side by side blank pages on entry for both visas and stamps. Should the clients’ itinerary include more than one country, excluding the country of departure and return, please ensure that you have a sufficient number of blank visa pages (not endorsement pages) in the passport. Should there be insufficient blank pages in the passport then entry into a country could be denied.

Any applicable visas, costs and/or relevant documentation are client’s responsibility. Please verify with the relevant consulate concerning visa entry requirements and, if extending the journey to other countries, visa entry requirements for those countries need to be established as well. Ensure that you have all necessary visas prior to departure from the home country (unless these can be obtained on arrival) Travelinstyle.com, USA staff, local vendors and staff cannot be held liable should entry be denied.

South Africa: The Grand Luxury Edition

Cape Town Twelve Apostles Hotel
and Sanbona Game Reserve

A 14 Day Grand Tour of South Africa

The Twelve Apostles Hotel, a true grand luxury Hotel and Spa - Cape Town

The Twelve Apostles Hotel, a true grand luxury Hotel and Spa – Cape Town

A 14-Day stay grand tour of Cape Town, Arabella Western Cape, Franschoek Wine Valley and Sanbona Game Reserve, with tours in Cape Town and Safari game drives. Choose your own arrival date.

Tour

Video by CapeTownTourism

Day 1: Arrive in Cape Town
Our Cape Town representative will be on hand to meet you at the airport and escort you into the city. On the way, you’ll appreciate the strategic location that has for centuries made the Cape a crossroads of world trade, and a meeting point where nations have met, traded, melded, come into conflict, and ultimately formed the mosaic of today’s South Africa. In less than 20 minutes, you’ll reach the Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa (Ultra Deluxe category) or similar, with breakfast daily, in a classical room.

Where Wilderness Parkland Reaches To The Heart Of The City
The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa stands at the edge of the world. On one side, a line of majestic mountains – The Twelve Apostles – reaches towards the heavens; on the other, the sun sets on breeching whales, playful dolphins, and crashing Atlantic rollers. And all around, you can walk the wilderness trails of the Table Mountain national park. We’ll even pack you a picnic.And yet this luxury 5-star boutique hotel is just a few minutes from worldly, cosmopolitan Cape Town. City-centre theatres and art galleries, plus the shops and restaurants of the vibrant Victoria & Alfred Waterfront are only 15 minutes away via our free car transfer service – quicker still if you use our helipad.Nearest of all is the elegant town of Camps Bay with its beautiful golden beaches. Or, if you prefer adventure to sun-soaked relaxation, we can arrange sea fishing, shark and scuba diving, or whale watching trips.Further afield are the Cape winelands (private tours by arrangement), notably the town of Hermanus where you can visit one of SA’s leading boutique vineyards, Bouchard Finlayson, see whales from the shore and, beyond that, the ancient tip of Africa where the Atlantic and Indian oceans meet.

Twelve Apostles Hotel, Cape Town

Day 2: Cape Town (B)
Today, at the very extreme end of Africa, we’ll discover and explore one of the oldest and most cosmopolitan cities on the continent. Our half-day tour begins with pickup at your hotel at 8 a.m. We’ll head for Table Mountain and, weather permitting, ascend a thousand meters by cableway to appreciate stunning views of the city and the waters offshore. Then it’s onward to The Castle, the oldest building in South Africa, with its Military Museum, and relics of a strategic past. A signal cannon is still fired daily. We’ll see the Company Gardens, once a vegetable farm for the early colony, now an exquisite botanical exhibit and public venue. Oddly, though not the capital, Cape Town hosts South Africa’s Parliament, which we’ll see right in the Gardens, along with City Hall, where Nelson Mandela made his first address as a freed man, and Slave Lodge, dedicated to the history of forced servitude in South Africa and the British Empire. We’ll explore the colorful Malay Quarter of multi-colored houses and mosques set on hills in the Bo-Kaap district, and have a chance to see where diamonds from South Africa’s mines are cut. Afterwards, you’ll have time to return on your own to some of the fascinating spots you’ve seen. Just make sure you turn in early . . . we have a long day tomorrow.

Day 3: Cape Town and Aquila Game Reserve (BL)
We’ll start at 6 a.m. to get in the best wildlife viewing possible. Our private conveyance will take us to Aquila Private Game Reserve, just two hours from Cape Town in the open veld of the Karoo. Aquila protects some of the major game species of Africa, including lions, elephants, water buffalo, rhinos, and rarely seen mountain leopards. After welcome refreshments, we’ll set out with a ranger on our game drive in a 4×4 vehicle. In addition to the “big five,” we’ll also spot, depending on the season and current conditions, wildebeest, springboks, zebra, giraffe, eland, baboons, hartebeest, and many, many others. Birders will discover the booted eagle in the summer and flamingos during rainy times. Rare black eagles are at home here, among 172 bird species. Bring extra memory cards for your camera! We’ll enjoy a buffet lunch and have time to relax by the pool (or by the fire in winter) before we head back to Cape Town.

Video by John Cole

Day 4: Cape Town – Complimentary Home Hosted Dinner (B)
Full day at leisure, enjoy your luxury hotel, or ask us for available optional tour. You’ll have one more opportunity to experience the excitement of this great city and, of course, do some last-minute shopping.

This evening we’ll venture where few ordinary visitors ever tread . . . right into the homes of some of the people of Cape Town! You’ll be invited to a family dinner, and while you enjoy wholesome home-cooked specialties, you’ll learn about and appreciate the outlook, aspirations, and way of life of your hosts. Be assured, as curious as you may be about your new friends, they’re sure to have questions about your own background. Once the ice is broken, you’ll enjoy a lively evening, and find that you have more in common than you ever suspected. Of course, if you prefer, you may want enjoy a quiet evening with your travel companions – just letting us know your preferences. You may wish to bring token gifts to exchange with the host family (T shirt , small souvenirs of your home town).

Day 5: Cape Town – The Spier  (B)
Breakfast is included as usual at your hotel. Private transfer to the Spier.

Guests at Spier have a number of leisure options to choose from. Nowhere else in the Cape would you have access, within easy walking distance, to a Wine Centre, a seasonal open-air theatre, swimming pools, a spa, children’s activities, craft exhibitions, wildlife encounters, horse riding and a nearby a golf course – and yet still be in the heart of the Winelands.

The Spier Hotel, built in 2000, is a place in which to relax and unwind. The 155-bedroom hotel is built on the banks of the Eerste River and has panoramic views of the Helderberg mountains and vineyards. The Spier Hotel provides four star comforts in a charming village-style setting with comfortable, spacious bedrooms grouped around six private courtyards and individual pools. Spier puts its focus on sustainability and wherever possible locally made and environmentally friendly products are used.

Spier also offers stimulating experiences, from exploring the collection of contemporary South African and African art to discovering the art in Spier’s wines. Guests can wander around the extensive grounds, landscaped with indigenous plants, or ramble along the river banks, watching the bird life or simply enjoy the peace.All standard rooms are spacious at 60sqm with large comfortable beds that invite guests to relax and enjoy the quiet country atmosphere. The rooms are beautifully but simply appointed, with quality the key to the décor. Every room has its own art from the Spier collection hanging on the walls, giving each a touch of individuality. The en suite bathrooms boast both a big bath, and a shower. Each room has its own television with satellite television channels to choose from and a shaded outdoor patio.

Franschoek Vines
Day 6: The Spier  (B)
Breakfast is included as usual at your hotel. Full day on your own, to enjoy your deluxe hotel facilities and the surroundings: Indulge yourself in a variety of massage and holistic treatments including aroma therapy and reflexology. Take advantage of the facials, manicures and pedicures given by nimble-fingered consultants as well as other specialized skin care therapy and treatments at the boutique spa located at the Spier Hotel.

Spier, in the heart of South Africa’s Cape Winelands, is more than an innovative and iconic destination. It is a place of hope that delivers experiences that rejuvenate mind, body and soul.

The fabric of Spier’s rich history was created out of a journey that began in 1692 and has been embroidered for over three centuries. The original Manor House and slave bell, as well as the oldest dated wine cellar in South Africa, have been impeccably restored for future generations to stay in touch with the past.

Art, culture, wine, food, nature and conservation – these are the pillars of the Spier experiences and all are manifest on the estate, giving guests the opportunity to see, smell, hear, feel and taste for themselves the variety of unexpected encounters available at Spier.

Day 7 and Day 8: Franschhoek (B)
Our journey to the historic wine-growing district begins when we call on you with a private vehicle after breakfast. Historic Franschhoek lies 80 kilometers to the east, amid rolling vineyards under sentinel mountains. Its name recalls the French Huguenots who settled in the seventeenth century. Here in South Africa’s counterpart to Napa and Bordeaux, you’ll partake of the delights of local vintages along wine routes that include the domains of Boschendal, Chamonix, Dieu Donne, Graham Beck, La Motte, L’Ormarins, the Rupert & Rothchild Vignerons, and Vrede en Lust.

During your stay, you can relax amid majestic surroundings, or choose from a menu of experiences. Several golf courses set among the vineyards offer a variety of challenges. Mountain streams and reservoirs are stocked with rainbow trout and smallmouth bass. Ride a horse, or stroll the trails that wind through the Franschhoek, Drakenstein and Boland mountains, or choose a challenging route from peak to peak with overnight camping in between. You can find your adventures on the spot, or we can make arrangements beforehand so that you can make the most of your time. We can even provide trail permits, where required.

In between your outings, enjoy fine dining, browse art galleries, and visit cheese factories to round out an unexpected country experience in South Africa.

Situated in the heart of South Africa’s wine country, Spier’s Wines are core to the business. Spier Wines has produced award-winning wines that have won global recognition.

Add a spa experience

Be sure to pamper yourself by adding a spa experience to your vacation in South Africa.

Day 9: Sanbona Game Reserve (BLD)
After your idyll in the wine country, we’ll call for you after breakfast in our private vehicle to take you eastward to spend several days in the Sanbona Game Reserve, set in the Little Karoo at the foot of the Warmwaterberg Mountains. Its name is a tribute to the ancient San people of the region, and its 54,000 hectares of rolling plains hold treasures that include rock art, regional flora, white lions, and the rare riverine rabbit. Sambona is an adventure in conservation, wildlife sighting, and luxurious accommodations. A hearty lunch will be served upon your arrival. In the afternoon, you’ll take a game drive in a Land Cruiser. Sightings might include white lions, which are being re-introduced to the wild by the Reserve; and elephants, leopards, buffalo, white rhinos, and cheetahs, depending on the season and local conditions. Dinner will be served back in the lodge. At your leisure in the evening, you can enjoy drinks and listen to and identify the sounds that surround you. Optional massages and treatments are available.

Day 10: Safaris – Sanbona Game Reserve (BLD)
You’ll take two game drives today, and experience that species that reveal themselves at different times of day. After a wake-up call and a light repast of tea, coffee and pastries, you’ll take a morning drive. Sightings might include giraffes, zebras, and South Africa’s distinctive antelopes, including springboks, elands, and gemsboks. You’ll return for a late full breakfast, and a break at the lodge, where you can enjoy the pool, or just relax. Your afternoon game drive departs after a late lunch, followed by dinner.

Day 11: Safaris – Sanbona Game Reserve – Back to Cape Town (B)
This program is always subject to change and times are approximate and are subject to change during summer.
We’ll set off early again on our morning drive after coffee, tea and snacks. This is our last chance to see, and photograph, the local fauna. Keep an eye out for ostriches and rare riverine rabbits, among the most endangered species in the world. A full breakfast follows, after which we’ll board our vehicle for the drive through the Western Cape. We’ll reach Cape Town in the late afternoon, and check back into the Southern Sun Waterfront Hotel, or a comparable establishment. Take advantage of your time to appreciate the Cape sunset, sophisticated dining, and shopping. Treasures at surprisingly affordable prices include jewelry, leather goods, and works of art. Of course, you’ll pick up a bottle or two of one of the fine wines that you’ve sampled during your stay.

Day 12: Hermanus – South Africa – Arabella Western Cape Hotel & Spa (B)
After breakfast, a private transfer to the Arabella Western Cape Hotel & Spa, “a Luxury Collection Hotel.” Overlooking the largest natural lagoon in Africa, The Arabella Western Cape Hotel & Spa is placed in the lap of a coastal amphitheater of seductive beauty on the 112-hectare Arabella Country Estate. One of the most acclaimed luxury resorts that South Africa offers, every aspect of our five-star hospitality is thoughtfully conceived to make your time away feel relaxed and unhurried.

Located just a 20-minute drive from the whale watchers haven of Hermanus, our hotel boasts the Kogelberg Nature Reserve and the 18-hole championship golf course on the Arabella Golf Estate. The region is rich in fynbos, bird life, exquisite mountain landscapes, and endless recreational activities. Here, just 100 kilometers from Cape Town, you will enjoy access to comforts and amenities that replenish your energy and refresh your spirit. A world of rare beauty, where elegance is timeless, service is seamless, and every day abounds with simple pleasures. A place where exquisite luxury is reflected in sublime details.

Arabella Western Cape Hotel & Spa

Day 13: Hermanus – South Africa – Arabella Western Cape Hotel & Spa (B)
Full day at leisure to enjoy this ultra deluxe hotel and surroundings.

The rooms at our five-star deluxe hotel in South Africa are designed with the colours and textures of the landscape subtly reflected in every detail, creating a seamless sense of harmony. Careful attention is paid to every exquisite detail, creating a luxurious, spacious retreat, with beautiful bathrooms to add to your comfort.

Contemporary African ocean décor and the finest amenities impart an ambience of superior comfort. Each room is abundantly endowed with views. Even the bath itself offers an opportunity to soak up the vista. Sumptuous white bed linen, goose down duvets and pillows, and rosewood furniture enhance a sense of indulgence.

You may choose the kind of view you wish to gaze out at from your expansive balcony – either facing the sweeping aspects of the golf course and the tranquil lagoon, or looking out over the sun drenched pool and immaculately groomed gardens.

Superior communications and entertainment systems facilitate prompt, effortless contact with the outside world. And yet, reflecting the Arabella Luxury Collection philosophy, a calming ambience conspires in every conceivable way to make the busy outside world feel far removed. As a guest of our five-star deluxe hotel, you will enjoy unlimited access to the spa facilities, to heap pleasure on the experience.

The Arabella estate is located in the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve and is surrounded by the Cape Floral Kingdom, one of the richest plant kingdoms in the world. It is situated adjacent to the Rooisand Nature Reserve, which is managed by Arabella under mandate from the Western Cape Nature Conservation Board.

Kogelberg Nature Reserve is often considered the heart of the Cape Floral Kingdom because of the exceptional quality of its fynbos. The reserve lies within the southern stretch of the rugged Hottentots Holland mountain range, and has remained isolated and remarkably unspoiled. Its high mountain peaks, steep kloofs, valleys, and several tributaries of the pristine Palmiet River create a sense of remote wilderness.

Our hotel overlooks one of South Africa’s largest and most beautiful natural lagoons – the Bot River lagoon, and is only an hour’s drive from Cape Town. We are also located near the Cape Wine Route, the southernmost tip of Africa, Cape Agulhas, and are less than a 15-minute drive from Hermanus.

Day 14: Cape Town – Departure (B)
After breakfast transfer to the airport. Bon Voyage!

Rates are in USD $. Rate Is Per Person
Double (rate per person) $ 7010.00
Single (rate per person) $ 9521.00

Inclusions:

  • Hotel accommodation as listed or similar, with tax and continental breakfast daily
  • Private guided tours in Cape Town as listed, including all entrance fees.
  • Two nights accommodation at Sanbona Game Reserve, with all three meals daily, in a standard room, and a game drive each day during your stay at the “Game Reserve”.
  • All transfers while in South Africa, always on a private basis.

Not Included:

  • Passport and visa fees.
  • International air fare
  • Trip interruption and cancellation insurance
  • Excess baggage charges or shipping charges
  • Gratuities
  • Additional personal expenses, beverages, and meals not specifically mentioned in the itinerary
  • Any airport taxes
Sanbona Game Reserve
Situated only 2 ½ hours from Cape Town Sanbona Wildlife Reserve offers 54 000 hectares of undulating mountains and plains, indigenous flora and fauna, at the foot of the Warmwaterberg, in the heart of the Little Karoo, between Montagu and Barrydale on the famous Route 62, the vision of the San is becoming a reality. Sanbona Wildlife Reserve, 54 000 hectares of undulating mountains and plains, indigenous fauna and flora, rock formations and rock art make this a destination not to be missed. Specialist guiding is a key element in providing a memorable and varied experience. The name Sanbona is a combination of the “San” people who roamed this area for thousands of years and “bona” which represents their vision in order to position this portion of the Little Karoo. Be it a journey of rejuvenation and self-discovery or absorbing the various essences and activities, Sanbona Wildlife Reserve represents in true form the philosophy of the Mantis Collection – taking care of the small things in life.
The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa stands at the edge of the world

The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa stands at the edge of the world

South Africa a la Carte Luxury Tour

Cape Town and Sanbona Game Reserve

Ten Days: South Africa a La Carte
Daily departure Year Round – Choose your own date

On Safari in Africa

Discover the best of South Africa! This vast country of mountains, velds, and extraordinary coastline challenges visitors with all it has to offer. Its cities glitter, its industry rolls, and its hinterlands teem with wildlife and unspoiled tradition. This nation of nations draws on all of southern Africa, and Europe and South Asia as well. Any one of these South Africas would make memories to last a lifetime.

We’ll lead the way and roll several unforgettable trips into one. Over ten days, we’ll experience throbbing Cape Town, where all the continents meet; not one but two game reserves, and an idyll in the wine country. And you won’t wait for a scheduled departure. Arrive on any day you choose and go Wild in South Africa.

Tour

Day 1: Arrive in Cape Town
Our Cape Town representative will be on hand to meet you at the airport and escort you into the city. On the way, you’ll appreciate the strategic location that has for centuries made the Cape a crossroads of world trade, and a meeting point where nations have met, traded, melded, come into conflict, and ultimately formed the mosaic of today’s South Africa. In less than 20 minutes, you’ll reach the Southern Sun Waterfront Cape Town Hotel, nestled between emblematic Table Rock and the Atlantic, or a comparable full-service accommodation with pool, access to nearby beaches, and daily breakfast.

Day 2: Cape Town (B)
Today, at the very extreme end of Africa, we’ll discover and explore one of the oldest and most cosmopolitan cities on the continent. Our half-day tour begins with pickup at your hotel at 8 a.m. We’ll head for Table Mountain and, weather permitting, ascend a thousand meters by cableway to appreciate stunning views of the city and the waters offshore. Then it’s onward to The Castle, the oldest building in South Africa, with its Military Museum, and relics of a strategic past. A signal cannon is still fired daily. We’ll see the Company Gardens, once a vegetable farm for the early colony, now an exquisite botanical exhibit and public venue. Oddly, though not the capital, Cape Town hosts South Africa’s Parliament, which we’ll see right in the Gardens, along with City Hall, where Nelson Mandela made his first address as a freed man, and Slave Lodge, dedicated to the history of forced servitude in South Africa and the British Empire. We’ll explore the colorful Malay Quarter of multi-colored houses and mosques set on hills in the Bo-Kaap district, and have a chance to see where diamonds from South Africa’s mines are cut. Afterwards, you’ll have time to return on your own to some of the fascinating spots you’ve seen. Just make sure you turn in early . . . we have a long day tomorrow.

Day 3: Cape Town and Aquila Game Reserve (BL)
We’ll start at 6 a.m. to get in the best wildlife viewing possible. Our private conveyance will take us to Aquila Private Game Reserve, just two hours from Cape Town in the open veld of the Karoo. Aquila protects some of the major game species of Africa, including lions, elephants, water buffalo, rhinos, and rarely seen mountain leopards. After welcome refreshments, we’ll set out with a ranger on our game drive in a 4×4 vehicle. In addition to the “big five,” we’ll also spot, depending on the season and current conditions, wildebeest, springboks, zebra, giraffe, eland, baboons, hartebeest, and many, many others. Birders will discover the booted eagle in the summer and flamingos during rainy times. Rare black eagles are at home here, among 172 bird species. Bring extra memory cards for your camera! We’ll enjoy a buffet lunch and have time to relax by the pool (or by the fire in winter) before we head back to Cape Town.

Day 4 – Day 5 – Day 6: Franschhoek (B)
Our journey to the historic wine-growing district begins when we call on you with a private vehicle after breakfast. Historic Franschhoek lies 80 kilometers to the east, amid rolling vineyards under sentinel mountains. Its name recalls the French Huguenots who settled in the seventeenth century. Here in South Africa’s counterpart to Napa and Bordeaux, you’ll partake of the delights of local vintages along wine routes that include the domains of Boschendal, Chamonix, Dieu Donne, Graham Beck, La Motte, L’Ormarins, the Rupert & Rothchild Vignerons, and Vrede en Lust.

During your stay, you can relax amid majestic surroundings, or choose from a menu of experiences. Several golf courses set among the vineyards offer a variety of challenges. Mountain streams and reservoirs are stocked with rainbow trout and smallmouth bass. Ride a horse, or stroll the trails that wind through the Franschhoek, Drakenstein and Boland mountains, or choose a challenging route from peak to peak with overnight camping in between. You can find your adventures on the spot, or we can make arrangements beforehand so that you can make the most of your time. We can even provide trail permits, where required.

In between your outings, enjoy fine dining, browse art galleries, and visit cheese factories to round out an unexpected country experience in South Africa.

Video by FranschhoekSA

Day 7: Sanbona Game Reserve (BLD)
After your idyll in the wine country, we’ll call for you after breakfast in our private vehicle to take you eastward to spend several days in the Sanbona Game Reserve, set in the Little Karoo at the foot of the Warmwaterberg Mountains. Its name is a tribute to the ancient San people of the region, and its 54,000 hectares of rolling plains hold treasures that include rock art, regional flora, white lions, and the rare riverine rabbit. Sambona is an adventure in conservation, wildlife sighting, and luxurious accommodations. A hearty lunch will be served upon your arrival. In the afternoon, you’ll take a game drive in a Land Cruiser. Sightings might include white lions, which are being re-introduced to the wild by the Reserve; and elephants, leopards, buffalo, white rhinos, and cheetahs, depending on the season and local conditions. Dinner will be served back in the lodge. At your leisure in the evening, you can enjoy drinks and listen to and identify the sounds that surround you. Optional massages and treatments are available.

Video by Sanbona Wildlife Reserve

Day 8: Sanbona Game Reserve (BLD)
You’ll take two game drives today, and experience that species that reveal themselves at different times of day. After a wake-up call and a light repast of tea, coffee and pastries, you’ll take a morning drive. Sightings might include giraffes, zebras, and South Africa’s distinctive antelopes, including springboks, elands, and gemsboks. You’ll return for a late full breakfast, and a break at the lodge, where you can enjoy the pool, or just relax. Your afternoon game drive departs after a late lunch, followed by dinner.

Day 9: Safaris – Sanbona Game Reserve – Back to Cape Town (B)
This program is always subject to change and times are approximate and are subject to change during summer
We’ll set off early again on our morning drive after coffee, tea and snacks. This is our last chance to see, and photograph, the local fauna. Keep an eye out for ostriches and rare riverine rabbits, among the most endangered species in the world. A full breakfast follows, after which we’ll board our vehicle for the drive through the Western Cape. We’ll reach Cape Town in the late afternoon, and check back into the Southern Sun Waterfront Hotel, or a comparable establishment. Take advantage of your time to appreciate the Cape sunset, sophisticated dining, and shopping. Treasures at surprisingly affordable prices include jewelry, leather goods, and works of art. Of course, you’ll pick up a bottle or two of one of the fine wines that you’ve sampled during your stay.

Day 10: Cape Town- Departure (B)
We’ll call for you after breakfast, and see you to the airport where you’ll board your flight home. At your option, we can arrange an extended stay to see more of South Africa.

Rate per person in double in USD : $ 2830.00
Rate per person in single in USD : $ 3630.00

Inclusions:

  • Accommodation in Cape Town at Southern Sun Waterfront Hotel, with breakfast daily, in a standard room
  • Private guided tours in Cape Town as listed, including all entrance fees.
  • Accommodation at Protea Hotel Franschoek, with breakfast daily, in a standard room.
  • Two nights accommodation at Sanbona Game Reserve, with all three meals daily, in a standard room, and a game drive each day during your stay at the “Game Reerve”.
  • All hotel taxes and service charges.
  • All transfers while in South Africa, always on a private basis.

Not Included:

  • Passport and visa fees.
  • International air fare
  • Trip interruption and cancellation insurance
  • Excess baggage charges or shipping charges
  • Gratuities
  • Additional personal expenses, beverages, and meals not specifically mentioned in the itinerary
  • Any airport taxes
Sample Hotels

Southern Sun Waterfront Cape TownSouthern Sun Waterfront Cape Town
Nestled between the majestic Table Mountain and the Atlantic Ocean, the Southern Sun Waterfront Cape Town hotel is ideally situated. It is well sited close to the entrance to the city’s premier leisure complex – The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, and is a short 15-minute drive from Cape Town International Airport. A variety of beaches, as well as the city centre, are also within close reach. The Southern Sun Waterfront Cape Town has 546 well appointed bedrooms, providing the full comfort and quality one would expect from a full service hotel. Additional facilities and services include an excellent breakfast room, additional restaurant, cocktail bar, fitness centre, outdoor swimming pool, curio shop, meeting rooms, business centre, wireless internet connectivity in all restaurants and bars and 24 hour secure underground parking. Room service, babysitting, and a shuttle service to and from the Waterfront are also available. The hotel’s secluded pool area provides the ideal spot for you to relax and refresh following a busy day of sightseeing. A dedicated Concierge desk is open 24 hours a day for your convenience, assisting with all travel, tours and car hire requirements.

Protea Hotel FranschhoekProtea Hotel Franschhoek
The 4-Star Protea Hotel Franschhoek, which overlooks the majestic mountains and vineyards of the historic village of Franschhoek, some 80 km east of Cape Town, prides itself on its charming ambiance, gracious style and attentive service. Indeed, if you are seeking a hotel which exudes tranquility and beauty, look no further than the Protea Hotel Franschhoek.

This magnificent 4-Star hotel in Franschhoek has a rich history, with one section dating back to the 1880s. The town itself takes its name from the French Huguenots who settled in the area in the early 1680s after fleeing from their home country. Franschhoek has since become one of South Africa’s leading culinary and wine-tasting destinations. The Protea Hotel Franschhoek boasts a renowned restaurant, conference facilities, luxury accommodation, a sparkling swimming pool and a well-stocked vinotique.
Our convenient location makes the hotel a superb base from which to explore Franschhoek’s culinary establishments, art galleries, cheese factories and some 25 world famous wine estates. Various outdoor activities, such as horse-riding, golf, backpacking and trout-fishing, can also be arranged.

The luxurious accommodation offered by the 4-Star Protea Hotel Franschhoek is a welcoming retreat at the end of a long day spent exploring this splendid town.

The Protea Hotel Franschhoek – The pride of Franschhoek

Sanbona Game ReserveSanbona Game Reserve
Situated only 2 ½ hours from Cape Town Sanbona Wildlife Reserve offers 54 000 hectares of undulating mountains and plains, indigenous flora and fauna, at the foot of the Warmwaterberg, in the heart of the Little Karoo, between Montagu and Barrydale on the famous Route 62, the vision of the San is becoming a reality. Sanbona Wildlife Reserve, 54 000 hectares of undulating mountains and plains, indigenous fauna and flora, rock formations and rock art make this a destination not to be missed. Specialist guiding is a key element in providing a memorable and varied experience. The name Sanbona is a combination of the “San” people who roamed this area for thousands of years and “bona” which represents their vision in order to position this portion of the Little Karoo. Be it a journey of rejuvenation and self-discovery or absorbing the various essences and activities, Sanbona Wildlife Reserve represents in true form the philosophy of the Mantis Collection – taking care of the small things in life.

Africa

From Africa with Love

From Cairo to Cape Town
The Best of North, East and South Africa Tours

Table Mountain, Cape Town, South Africa

Table Mountain, Cape Town. Photo by Joachim Huber, via Wikimedia Commons.

To Travel in Style…
…means to require and enjoy the highest level of customized individual service. We work as your personal concierges, someone you know, arranging the very best private touring in each of your destinations. The hotels we use understand your wish for top comforts and service. Our air-conditioned luxury vehicles appear as private ones, not those huge coaches marked with tourism logos, so you become part of the local scene. And yet, because of our experience, wide contacts, efficiency and low overhead, we can offer the ultimate in private travel at rates that large travel firms cannot match.
Our small staff and our select foreign representatives take the time to know you and how you wish to travel, and we are available for your questions and assistance every day, at all hours. We watch over your comfort at every stage of your trip.
If you are among those rare travelers who recognize and desire the best in personal touring, travel with us: Travel in Style.
The Best of Africa

The African Nile Safari – 12 days
This is truly an experience for those who have been dreaming to see and enjoy the ultimate African Safari. This combination of cosmopolitan Cairo and the Safari Adventure is a diverse itinerary offering an array of Egypt’s and Kenya’s finest travel.

The African Pharaoh Luxury Tour
Tour of Kenya and Egypt: 17 days with a Nile Cruise. You will tour Cairo, Abu Simbel Temples, then sail between Luxor and Aswan and continue through the Heart of Africa.

The Best of Kenya, Tanzania and Zanzibar, Egypt and the Nile
A Grand 24-Day African Adventure. A remarkable journey into the most stunning Safari sites in Africa. The best of Egypt, a good look at Cairo, Alexandria and a 5-day cruise along the Nile. Then on to East Africa and Zanzibar on a remarkable Private African Safari and journey through Kenya Tanzania with a Foray into Zanzibar. For our guests who want and can afford the best.

South Africa Tours

South Africa A La Carte Luxury Tour: 10 Days
Cape Town and Sanbona Game Reserve. Daily departure year round – choose your own date.

South Africa – The Grand Luxury Edition: 14 Days
Cape Town Twelve Apostles Hotel and Sanbona Game Reserve. A 14 Day Grand Tour of South Africa. Daily departure year round – choose your own date.

From Cairo to Cape Town: 19 Days
Experience the Best of Egypt and South Africa including Victoria Falls. Airfare is included round trip or one way between Cairo and Johannesburg. Tour starts weekly in Cairo, year round.

The Grand African Tour: 22 Days
From Marrakech to Cairo and on to Cape Town
Experience the Best of Morocco, Egypt and South Africa
Explore the three gems of Africa – Morocco, South Africa, including Victoria Falls and Egypt – on this 22-day African Tour. Morocco tour to Casablanca, Marrakech. A bonus: journey by train across the Moroccan countryside! The best of Egypt: a good look at Cairo and a 5-day cruise along the Nile, then on to South Africa. Then embark on thrilling game drives near Botswana’s remote Limpopo River to South Africa’s most cosmopolitan city on Table Bay, Cape Town – let us introduce you to the land… South of the Limpopo.

The Grand African Tour: 24 Days
Johannesburg, Cairo, and Marrakech
This is truly an experience for those who have been dreaming to see and enjoy the ultimate African tour from Cairo all the way to Cape Town. This combination of cosmopolitan Cape Town, Victoria Falls, and the Safaris… Southern Africa’s finest travel experiences.